Operation Active Endeavour: 10 years of countering the threat of terrorism at sea

Since 26 October 2001, NATO's Operation Active Endeavour (OAE) has been protecting the Mediterranean Sea against the threat of terrorism. The operation evolved out of NATO’s immediate response to the terrorist attacks against the United States of 11 September and is NATO’s only Article 5 collective defence operation.

“The operation has come a long way and evolved enormously over the years but resolve and solidarity are still at the heart of mission”, said Vice Admiral Rinaldo Veri, Commander Allied Maritime Command Naples and Commander OAE. In the last ten years, the operation has been extended to the whole of the Mediterranean Sea and has benefited from contributions from NATO Allies, Partner and Mediterranean Dialogue countries. It has now become largely network-based and has developed a state-of-the-art maritime situational awareness programme. This programme has proven its value in supporting the maritime operations carried out as part of NATO’s Operation Unified Protector which focused on protecting civilians in Libya.